NTU urges all Senators to vote “NO” on H.J. Res. 45, a massive increase in the national debt limit of nearly $1 trillion. Congress has ramped up spending at an appalling rate, and approval of this resolution will only pile more onto the crushing burdens borne by Americans now and in the future. In order to best protect taxpayers, we urge that you support amendments to reduce hundreds of billions of dollars in wasteful spending and oppose any that would establish mechanisms to saddle families and businesses with even higher taxes:

• Vote YES on the Thune amendment to end the “Troubled Asset Relief Program” (TARP). This amendment would shield taxpayers from further bailout liabilities by eliminating authority to spend unobligated TARP funds immediately, potentially saving upwards of $300 billion.

• Vote YES on the Coburn amendment to rescind roughly $120 billion worth of wasteful and duplicative government programs.

• Vote YES on the Sessions/McCaskill amendment to establish a responsible cap on spending growth of roughly 2 percent per year that would require a 67-vote point of order to waive.

• Vote NO on the Conrad/Gregg amendment, and similar efforts introduced, to establish a bipartisan “spending commission.” Though well-intentioned, these proposals would virtually guarantee recommendations of (and expedited floor action on) enormous tax hikes to pay for Congress’ reckless overspending.

Roll call votes on this resolution, including those on amendments and final passage, will be heavily weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.

If you have any questions, please contact NTU Director of Government Affairs Andrew Moylan at (703) 683-5700.

share

Publications

More than 1,100 professional economists have joined with the National Taxpayers Union to urge President Trump and Congress to reconsider their trade policies. Click here to view the letter, which includes former White House economic advisors from both parties, as well as 15 Nobel Prize winners.

The tax reform package passed by the House and Senate will provide relief to millions of individuals, families, and businesses. Let's take a moment to thank Congress for delivering strong tax reform before the end of the year.